1 Fed 2019

China acts like it’s ‘preparing for WWIII’ in South China Sea, Sen. Inhofe warns
China’s continuing militarization of the islands in the South China Sea has one member of Congress warning that the communist nation may be preparing for war. Republican Sen. James Inhofe, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on Tuesday that China’s ongoing militarization activities resemble preparation for a world war, the Navy Times reported. “It’s like you’re preparing for World War III,” Inhofe said. “You’re talking to our allies over there and you wonder whose side they’re going to be on.”

Store Your Gold At The Bank Of England And You Might Never See It Again
The Bank of England’s decision to deny Maduro officials’ withdrawal request comes after top U.S. officials, including Secretary of StateMichael Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, lobbied their U.K. counterparts to help cut off the regime from its overseas assets, according to one of the people, who asked not to be identified.”

The Democrats Lose Their Minds
… the “system” of relatively free enterprise that allowed them to grow rich—and finance or innovate remarkable advances in technology and productivity that have benefited the world—should be altered drastically. Hence AOC’s call for a 70-percent marginal tax rate—backed by the same genius from Berkeley who designed Warren’s expropriation of wealth—to help pay for the “Green New Deal” that will give us “a 100% greenhouse gas neutral power generation system, decarbonizing industry and agriculture and more.

US cuts off all aid to PA security forces
Officials at the US Embassy in Jerusalem confirm that as a result of the Taylor Force Law taking effect on Friday, all American funding for the Palestinian security forces will be discontinued, including for the purchase of equipment and training.

Why Are the Religious Right-Wing and Secular Left-Wing?
But just as it is in Israel, the politics in America and the rest of the world are divided along religious lines; the religious are right-wing and the secular are left-wing. I can think of a lot of reasons for this: Religion trains people to live for a greater good. A non-belief in God teaches a person that they are living just for themselves, that they are the ultimate authority and the ultimate goal. Even when the non-religious express a moral ideal, it is warped and self-centered.

US funding for Palestinian security services ends
The US funding and training program for the PA’s security services was set to end at midnight on Thursday, as diplomats and politicians scrambled to find a way to mitigate the impact on West Bank stability. The 14-year-old US Security Coordinator (USSC) mission, and the $61 million the US provides annually, is perceived to be the cornerstone to an effective Palestinian Authority security service.

ISIS could regain control of Syria within a year, Pentagon reports
ISIS could regain control of Syrian territory within six to 12 months, according to a draft of the Department of Defense Inspector General Quarterly Report on the ongoing Syrian situation. Analysts fear the impending pullout of US troops would created a vacuum filled by the extremist group. US President Donald Trump has ordered all of the approximately 3,000 US troops to leave the civil war-torn country within 120 days.

Attorney-General will decide on Netanyahu’s indictment before Israel’s election
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit formally announced on Friday that he will decide Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal fate before the upcoming April 9 election. Though there have been leaks to this effect, this was the first time that Mandelblit himself confirmed it, rejecting a request by Netanyahu’s lawyers to delay the decision.

UK, France and Germany create payments system to trade with Iran
The UK, Germany and France have created a new payments system to allow European businesses to trade with Iran without falling foul of US sanctions. All three opposed last year’s decision by President Donald Trump to abandon a 2015 deal under which international sanctions on Iran were lifted. Some of the US sanctions make it difficult for European banks to make direct payments to Iran.

Army simulates attack on gas rigs in most complex naval drill in decades
The Israel Navy this week simulated an attack on the country’s natural gas platforms, including a live-fire test of sea-to-sea missiles to destroy an “enemy ship,” the military said Thursday. Four Sa’ar-4.5 model corvettes participated in the week-long naval exercise, dubbed “Raging Sea,” which ended on Thursday.

Despite international disapproval, Lebanon forms government with Hezbollah
Lebanese political factions agreed finally Thursday on the formation of a new government, breaking a nine-month deadlock that only deepened the country’ economic woes. Rival political groups have been locked in disagreement over the make-up of a new government since May, after the country’s first parliamentary elections in nine years.

Mexican President AMLO: ‘No More War’ on Drugs
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) sent shockwaves after publicly claiming an end to his country’s drug war. The politician said his administration will focus on reducing violent crimes instead of capturing regularly violent drug lords.

Tyson recalls chicken nuggets over reports of rubber inside
Tyson Foods is recalling some chicken nuggets after customers said they found pieces of “soft, blue rubber” inside. The U.S. Agriculture Department said the 5-pound (2-kilogram) bags should be thrown away or returned. The agency says there are no confirmed reports of anyone getting sick from the rubber.